Party Conference highlights break most-viewed record on BBC iPlayer

The BBC’s IT department is struggling to install new equipment and network bandwidth in time to meet the unprecedented demand for access to highlights of the recent political party conferences.

‘As fast as we install it, the capacity gets used up,’ said Director-General Mark Thompson as he agreed another £5 million-worth of technology infrastructure. ‘It’s just incredible. I can’t remember anything capturing the public imagination like this since the World Indoor Bowls Championship.’

The BBC has attributed the enormous demand for repeat coverage of the conference season to a renewed public interest in politics and politicians, and 2.5 million people being out of work.